Milan Kundera once wrote: “The beauty of New York is unintentional; it arose independent of human design, like a stalagmite cavern.”
This is the 3rd post about our trip to New York City. When we wandered around the city, three dimensions of New York became very clear. Three dimensions of viewing the city: from above, from the outside and from within.
I promised this to be a photography post, so I will let the pictures talk for themselves.
But I miss a fourth dimension. An intangible one. New York is more than regular 3D. I believe many of these big cities are more than 3D. The way you experience a city like New York is something you cannot predict. You have to zoom into the city and see how it expands beyond the physical. It might sound very ‘elevated’ to some, but when you consciously try to find the soul of a city you will be surprised. You have to look up, feel and listen because there is no design. It just happens.
Stories
The soul of a city is formed by a collection of its stories. It’s the New York Stories that make the difference, big and small. Each story covering a whole life of experiences, beliefs and expectations.
It’s that man reading a book and drinking his coffee. Gearing himself up for another day of hard work.
It’s a tourist walking Time Square having the time of his life.
It’s riding the subway and watching people. Listening to their stories, getting a small glimpse into their lives.
It’s the diversity of people with different stories that make the book called New York City so interesting.
It’s that fractal that keeps expanding, the right way.
72nd St. A train. Woman in late twenties to friend: “John? Oh, we’re still together…but we haven’t figured it out.” #nyc #newyork
— nycstories (@nycstories) April 20, 2011
20th & Broadway. Old man leaning against building says to man texting as he walks by. “Look up. It’s dangerous to look down.” #nyc #newyork
— nycstories (@nycstories) May 18, 2011
23rd & 6th. Two policeman stand on corner. One spots something in the street, walks halfway out & snatches up a small folded dollar. #nyc
— nycstories (@nycstories) May 23, 2011
26th & Park. Man in 20’s with jeans and yellow t-shirt that reads. “I’m an important person.” #nyc #newyork
— nycstories (@nycstories) May 12, 2011
Bway & 22nd. German tourists staring at Empire State Bldg. Father: “There’s a picture.” Teenage daughter “Soon it will sink into the sea.”
— nycstories (@nycstories) May 9, 2011
5th Ave & 15th. Two young boys about eleven. First boy says to his friend in a Stanford sweatshirt: “You slept with HER?” #nyc #newyork
— nycstories (@nycstories) March 28, 2011
I hope you have enjoyed this series about New York, part 1 and part 2. Thanks for all your great comments and support!
5 comments
GORGEOUS pictures, as always! I love seeing New York through your eyes. 🙂
These photos really capture the essence of the city. I like how the first pictures were of the buildings and landmarks. Then you ended on a more personal note. I love that about traveling – getting a glimpse into someone else’s world, someone you’ll probably never cross paths with again, but just for a moment you made a connection of some kind.
So where will your next adventure take your family?
Great comment Jacquelin. A short connection can sometimes mean a lot by giving inspiration or indeed just a small glimpse in another life (read: world).
Our next adventure will take our family to the Spanish island of Ibiza. But we are making plans already for 2012…
Dead On Emiel!
NYC is about the people more than anything else. You can get away with everything and nothing at the same time. Someone is always watching and nobody seems to care. I love that about NY. So many different people. A very unique and exciting place. Great job capturing that.
Thanks for the great posts!
Justin
It has been a wonderful project writing about New York City. We traveled through the city’s 4 dimensions for only 6 days but it is good to know we captured part of its soul. I also very much liked the idea of writing in series. Let’s see what my next series will be about….any suggestions?